NEWS

Research chemist to present next installment of New Frontiers seminar series

Oct 8, 2015 | Applied and Natural Sciences, Engineering and Science, Research and Development

Dr. Bryant Nelson, staff research chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will present a lecture titled “Fundamental Interactions of Engineered Nanomaterials with DNA and DNA Repair Proteins,” on October 19 as part of Louisiana Tech University’s New Frontiers in Biomedical Engineering seminar series. Dr. Bryant NelsonThe presentation will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of University Hall on the Louisiana Tech campus. The event is free and members of the campus and local communities are cordially invited to attend. Nelson’s research focuses on understanding the interactions between DNA and nanomaterials, and how those interactions may lead to alterations in DNA structure and activity. He is responsible for the design, technical development and leadership of research projects in the area of understanding and characterizing the potential environmental health and human safety risks of engineered nanomaterials. “Engineered nanomaterials may bind, complex or chemically modify DNA at the strand level or at the base level,” said Nelson. “In order to accurately characterize and quantify the potential long-term environmental health and safety risks of nanomaterials to living organisms, our group develops and applies novel metrological methods and tools that are relevant for measuring modifications to DNA and DNA repair proteins.” The New Frontiers in Biomedical Research seminar series is co-organized by Dr. Jamie Newman, the Scott Weathersby Endowed Professor in Zoology and Premedicine, and Dr. Mary Caldorera-Moore, assistant professor of biomedical engineering. The 2015-2016 series spotlights interdisciplinary collaborations, alumni spotlights and features, and research discussions by renowned guest speakers from across the nation. Nelson’s visit is sponsored by Louisiana Tech’s chapter of Sigma Xi, an international honors research society, and the College of Engineering and Science. All lectures during the series will be recorded and can be accessed through the College of Engineering and Science’s Events web page at http://coes.latech.edu/about-the-college/events.php. Sponsors for the 2015-2016 series include Lincoln Health Foundation, Louisiana Tech’s College of Engineering and Science, the College of Applied and Natural Sciences, the Office of the President, Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science, Sigma Xi, and generous donations from members of the community. For more information on Nelson and his presentation, or other events in this year’s New Frontiers in Biomedical Research series, visit www.biomedicalresearch.wix.com/new-frontiers.